Until August 14th Disney’s Magic Kingdom Wishes Fireworks display has been replaced with the Summer Nightastic. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend you do so. For those who have been to a Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party or the Very Merry Christmas party, you would definitely remember the spectacular perimeter fireworks. Now you don’t have to wait for a special occasion. The Summer Nightastic show lights up the sky with perimeter fireworks everynight!

This October, Walt Disney World will combine my two favorite past times: running and eating. October 2nd marks the inauguration of Disney’s Wine and Dine Half Marathon. This is the first and only half marathon held by Disney that takes place after hours. Starting at 10pm, runners will make their way from the Wide World of Sports, through Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and finish at Epcot. Not up to 13.1 miles? This is also the first and only race that is offered as a relay event. The first runner will cover 4.8 miles, while the second finishes up the 8.3 remaining. The best part: the after hours party. From the moment you cross the finish line until 3am you will have exclusive access to Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. Visit the Official Disney Sports website for more information!

Nothing says summer like live music! From June 12-July 31 the American Pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase will host the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series! Performers include Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles, Karin Lawson – A Tribute to Janet Jackson, 2U – a Tribue to U2, and more! Each performer has 3 shows daily! Please visit the official website for more information!

Universal Studios offers their own Summer Concert Series. From June 12 – July 17, every Saturday night will have a different live concert! Highlights include Train, Rob Thomas, and the Counting Crows! Please visit the website for more performers and showtimes!

Wow!  Disney is redesigning Fantasyland!!  This will be the largest overhaul in the theme parks 36-year history!

Here are some highlights of what is to come:

- New ride based on ‘The Little Mermaid’- an enclosed ride that will carry guests through Ariel’s underwater realm.
- New meet-and-greet Pixie Hollow, home to Tinker Bell and fairies!!  My daughter can’t wait for this one!
- Expansion of ‘Dumbo’ attraction- double the size with a circus atmosphere and interactive queue to entertain children waiting in line.
- Greater focus on princesses, such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty & Belle- dances with Cinderella and play a role with Belle in a performance!!
- Update with 3-D effects of Star Tours attraction (this is at Disney Hollywood Studios)

These all sound like awesome plans and  will take some time to complete. The overhaul will be finished by 2013.  The refurbished Star Tours will debut in 2011 at Disney Hollywood Studios.

I have a 6 year old daughter who has grown up going to Disney parks and I know any advances Disney makes to the parks will be as exciting to her

as any child going to Disney for the first time!!  Disney also said they will incorporate some villains from some of the movies to appeal more to boys.

We will be anxiously awaiting these new upgrades to Magic Kingdom and we hope you and your family will come see the magic that is going on

right now at all of the theme parks around Orlando!

Disney\’s Fantasyland

The fact that Disney is buying the Marvel Super Hero name will not affect any rides at Universal Studios. All attractions such as Hulk coaster, Spider Man, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, Storm Force Accelatron as well as Marvel Super Hero Island will remain the same.

However, Disney does have the legal right to build their own attractions using the super hero characters and name.  Bob Iger, CEO of Disney did say that “using the Marvel characters will help them grow their theme park business and better entertain people”.

Maybe Disney will start something new and exciting to all teenagers out there that have outgrown the “classical Disney characters”… We will keep an eye on it and keep you up to date on any news about Orlando attractions!

Provided by Florida Spirit Vacation Homes